Hiro Ramen — Restaurant in Brick Township

Let’s start with ordering. It’s not a full service restaurant so be prepared to keep getting up. For utensils, to place the order, to take your food off the robot cart (it doesn’t come within reach of the table). So why the tip screen when ordering? That’s ridiculously tacky when you are not providing any service except clearing the table? It’s comparable to eating in at McDonald’s with the level of service for comparison. They literally will place the food on the robot to travel 8 feet to your table rather than just bringing it to you. These robots are for larger restaurants and generally return to the kitchen for loading by the cooks, not the front counter which had 1 girl making teas and another taking orders. Next is the food. Dinner for 2 was $71 which seemed very high being that the ramen was fairly neutral on flavor. They also don’t offer any sort of seasoning like chili oil or anything to customize your entree and add for the lacking flavor. Our dinner was 2 apps, 2 ramen and 2 teas for that price and was about $20 overpriced. The teas are $7.50 each, apps were more fairly priced at $7-$8 each but the ramen is overpriced. I would not return based on the experience. The girls at the counter were nice but I watched table after table wandering the restaurant to supply themselves with everything to get through dinner. It was not memorable enough to return...

Happen to be in the area and notice that they are having their grand opening and thought to give them a try. Here's my experience and thoughts.

The food: The flavor of the broths was good. Not too salty or heavy which was good. The portion between each bowl were good.

That's about all the good thing I could say. For me, I had the tonkostu ramen. I don't know if it's because of the brand they used or how they are cooking it, the noodles are not slurp worthy. I even tried some of my family's noodle and they are all the same. Super chewy, floury tasting, and stuck between my teeth. Usually sign of the noodle being undercooked. The Pork belly was very thinly slice and although the flavor was good, it was super dry and hard to swallow. They should be thicker and juicy with a good mix of fat and meat.

Service: No complimentary water or anything. Had a cute little robot server which was nice though. First time experience with that. The resteraunt is where you pay first before getting your food. I only gave our tips after the food and service, not during the payment process, as it should be.

Atmosphere: great atmosphere, clean and super nice interior aesthetic. Music choice was on point.

Overall: Had better ramen before. However I won't discourage people from trying their food. They got some good appetizers and flavors...

First time trying it after it recently opened and let me say.. 5 stars all around. I've been to many ramem places.. Not only this was a super clean place but the staff was extremely courteous. My friends and I were traveling and reached at 830pm... They close at 9.. Yet still took us in and served us the meal.. Thats impressive in itself.. After ordering they were quite fast to give the food too.. Within 10 mins.. And it wasnt undercooked or anything.. It was so on point.. All 3 of us had ramen and having been to Japan twice now.. It was on point.. Broth was great.. As were the noodles consistency and flavor.. Salt was minimal which is usually the downfall of most places.. That over salt the dish.. Not here. The apps were great too.. And best of all was the extremely courteous and cute robot waiter 🙂.. Will be returning and I'm glad they opened close to where I live.. Would recommend...